Larry at Category 3, churns in Atlantic

ORLANDO, Fla. — Hurricane Larry became a Category 3 storm overnight and is gaining strength as it moves west-northwest in the Atlantic, the National Hurricane Center said Saturday.

The 12th named storm of the year is 1,055 miles east of the Leeward Islands with 125 mph maximum winds and is cruising through the mid-Atlantic at 15 mph.

No coastal watches or warnings have been issued, but the hurricane center warned that the Lesser Antilles could experience large swells and rip current conditions today and the East Coast of the U.S. including Florida could feel Larry’s swells after Labor Day.

Larry’s hurricane-force winds extend out 45 miles from its center with tropical-storm-force winds 160 miles from the core.

The hurricane center projected Larry could reach Category 4, as conditions continue to remain favorable for intensification over the next few days. As Larry cuts northwest toward Bermuda, the system is projected to slow, giving it more time in warmer waters and a chance to develop.

“Significant ocean swells generated by Larry’s growing wind field are expected to reach the Lesser Antilles [today], and then spread westward to portions of the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas, and Bermuda on Monday and Tuesday,” said John Cangialosi, a hurricane specialist. “These swells could cause life-threatening rip currents and high surf conditions.”

Meanwhile, the hurricane center is watching out for another possible storm system.

A surface trough, or low-pressure system, is sitting over the Gulf of Honduras and portions of Central America and was given a 30% chance of becoming a tropical depression by Wednesday.

The next storm will be named Mindy.